Although inspectors are not allowed to interrogate the officials in question, Wang Qishan, CCDI chief, confirmed that their work has led to the exposure of discipline violations in promotion of officials.

All 31 provincial divisions, six state-owned enterprises and nine central government departments and public institutions are subject to these inspections.

To engage the public, attempts have been made to reduce the mystery surrounding anti-graft work and increase online interaction. The CCDI website has launched an online tips service, publicized sanctions against corrupt officials, hosted online press conferences, opened forums and organized surveys. Last month, TV footage on CCTV, the national broadcaster, first revealed how inspectors work in inspection rounds by showing two inspectors talking with Sinopec President Fu Yucheng.

Bringing fugitives back

The anti-graft campaign has also expanded overseas to cut off the escape route of corrupt officials. Operation Fox Hunt, which will end on December 31, has brought about 400 fugitives back to China, many of whom were corrupt officials, and 54 percent of them have turned themselves in. On Tuesday, the CCDI solicited domestic and international tips about other corrupt officials still at large on foreign soil.

Professor Ren Jianming, an expert on anti-corruption and governance with the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told Xinhua that these new initiatives have helped close loopholes in the Party and government systems and contributed to the long-term anti-graft battle.

Zheng Yongnian, a China studies expert with National University of Singapore, said the anti-corruption drive is more than just netting "tigers and flies," but is also about giving reform opportunities to honest officials. "Rooting out corrupt officials and pushing forward reform measures are the ultimate purpose of the campaign," said Zheng.

In return, additional reforms will benefit the drive. A comprehensive legal reform plan, adopted at a key CPC session in October, included measures to push the Party, government, and officials to work in line with the law and build a more independent judicial system.

Zhou's case highlights a basic principle of rule of law, which holds that all people are equal before the law, Huang Weiting said.